I am new to this site. I went on one cruise just about a year ago. I left from NY and went to Canada on RCC Seranade of The Seas. I didn't take any sea sickness medication, as I didn't know if I would get sick, well I did. Not to the point of being physically sick, but woosey and nauseous (weird thing about me, I have a phobia of throwing up, yes I know it's weird). Well I took Dramamine the first night and it took about 24 hrs for me to start feeling better, but I did and had a great time. We were in kind of a storm, I kept asking if it was normally like that and everyone kept saying that they have been through worse. The Captain said we were having 15 ft swells, and wherever I went I was moving from side to side as I was walking, fast. Now I don't know if this is "normal", so that's what I need to ask you.

Now, I know this is long but I have more, LOL.

I am getting married on October 1,2005, and my future husband will not fly under any circumstances so we will be taking a cruise. I had a great time on my cruise except that I am terrified that I will get seasick again. What are the chances of Dramamine not working???

Lastly, I am interested in going to the Carribbean for my Honeymoon, since I have to leave from NY. I know that my wedding falls right into Hurricane season, and this is yet another thing that has me terrified.

I am new to this site. I went on one cruise just about a year ago. I left from NY and went to Canada on RCC Seranade of The Seas. I didn't take any sea sickness medication, as I didn't know if I would get sick, well I did. Not to the point of being physically sick, but woosey and nauseous (weird thing about me, I have a phobia of throwing up, yes I know it's weird). Well I took Dramamine the first night and it took about 24 hrs for me to start feeling better, but I did and had a great time. We were in kind of a storm, I kept asking if it was normally like that and everyone kept saying that they have been through worse. The Captain said we were having 15 ft swells, and wherever I went I was moving from side to side as I was walking, fast. Now I don't know if this is "normal", so that's what I need to ask you.

Now, I know this is long but I have more, LOL.

I am getting married on October 1,2005, and my future husband will not fly under any circumstances so we will be taking a cruise. I had a great time on my cruise except that I am terrified that I will get seasick again. What are the chances of Dramamine not working???

Lastly, I am interested in going to the Carribbean for my Honeymoon, since I have to leave from NY. I know that my wedding falls right into Hurricane season, and this is yet another thing that has me terrified.

welcome to CC. You shouldn't worry about Hurricane season, as the cruise lines make sure the ships don't get near a Hurricane. However, as a result of this your itinerary might be changed. Itinerary changes are rare, but they do happen from time to time. Usually, the cruise lines try to substitute similar destinations to the ones planned. However, there have been cruises that were scheduled to visit Bermuda and went to New England / Canada, instead.

Again, these are very rare occurrances, but they can happen and you should be aware of that. It is, however, far more likely that your cruise will operate as scheduled.

As far as seasickness is concerned, I am sure many members can give more qualified advice, as I am fortunate not to suffer from seasickness.

I can get sick in the back seat of a car, so I can relate. I have used Bonine many times (it's the same as the non-drowsy version of Dramamine, both of which are available over the counter) with great success, and have not found that it loses effectiveness. In fact, the more cruises I have gone on, the less I seem to need it to begin with! I have been in 12- to 15-foot seas and they are not fun, unless one feels fine, in which case it's rather humorous. One guy said to me on a cruise one time - "you know how you tell the drunks from the sober people on a cruise? The sober people are bouncing off the walls; the drunks are walking a straight line!"

I forgot to add something that you may have already concluded, to take your first dose before you board! Bonine only has to be taken once every 24 hours; just take it maybe 2-4 hours before your cruise leaves the dock and you should be ok.

To re-emphasize Raoul's counsel about hurricane season, the cruise lines will not send you into harm's way and will try to avoid bad weather and rough seas as much as possible. My clients' cruise was due into Miami this past weekend (yes, in the midst of Hurricane Frances) and they ended up waiting south of the Fla. Keys, well away from the storm, until it was safe to return to port. They got a bonus extra day of cruising at no extra cost!

I too get sick in the backseat of a car. My husband and I are scuba divers and we go on plenty of small boats to our diving destinations. I find that the wrist bands (seaband) work best for me. I don't like the dramamine or Bonine as they make me feel "wierd" I also recently purchased a wrist band type of a watch looking thing. Take a look at the Innovative Releif Band on this link:scuba.com
It is located under "first aide" on www.scuba.com. It helped me a lot. Also, buy some ginger candy. Not the sweet kind but the kind at a whole foods kind of store or in an Asian store. It should be kind of gummy. That helps with mild tummy nausea. I am with ya girl!

The following is a sure fire solution to your tendency of getting sea sick.

Many people are distressed at the thought of getting sea-sick. Well the best advice we can give you is to ask their family Doc for a prescription for [Transderm-SC 1.5mg Dis Nova]. This is medicine which prevents nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness. It is a small patch that you place behind your ear. The patch is good for three days, then you must replace it. It will stay on even when you shower. Place the patch behind one ear, the morning of the sailing!!! This gives the medication a chance to start working. Also when you have to change the patch, do it first thing in the morning. Believe me, it works.

As far as your concern about cruising during hurricane season, You will find an article that Mary and i wrote, on our home page, TomandMarysCruiseReviews.com “When A Hurricane is in The Path of Your Cruise Ship." I think this will relieve any anxiety you may have about cruising during hurricane season.

I agree with Tom and Mary. Go for the patch! On my first cruise I tried the Dramamine and it didn't help me at all. I suffered horribly for 4 LLLOOONNNNGGGG days. I never expected to be sick since I love roller coasters and had never experienced motion sickness. In fact I brought the Dramamine for my husband as he won't ride any rides at the amusement parks. If the tea cup ride makes him sick, I thought for sure the cruise would kill him. He ended up not even needing the medicine so I took it. Didn't help at all. For my 2nd cruise a friend recommended the patch. I used it and didn't feel sick at all. We even traveled through Tropical Storm Grace which provided very choppy water and I was not sick at all. I would see your doctor to get an Rx for the patch. At least you'll have it if you need it. No sence spoiling your whole trip.